North Royalton Boys Basketball Fans, it was quite a ride! Although it didn’t end the way everyone wanted, the Bears were two victories short of the Division II Boys State Championship. What a season it was!
North Royalton had a record of 25-2 this season. They had a 24-game winning streak; a Suburban League National Conference Championship; and a District and Regional Championship. Plus, the team set many school records.
But back in December, when the season started, only a few thought this was possible.
Unfortunately, the Bears’ season ended with a 66-63 loss to Massillon Perry in the State Semifinals in a game played at the Canton Fieldhouse.
North Royalton head coach Nick Lapsevich was proud of the way the team played the entire season. “We have nothing to hang our head about. Obviously, the loss in the State Semifinals stung. It wasn’t the result that we wanted. But I’m proud of what the team did for the community, for themselves and how we came together. There is nothing you can say to cheer them up. There are a lot of tears being shed. It’s a tough one that’s for sure.”
This was the second time Lapsevich had coached the Bears. He led the boys team for six seasons before leaving to take a coaching job at Baldwin-Wallace three years ago. He returned to the Bears bench last April. “I was really confident going into the season. I really didn’t want to say it in public. We had a really good summer. I thought we could do really something special and we did. We were one step away from Dayton.”
I asked Coach Lapsevich if he was able to put the season into perspective.
“It was a very special season. A 24-game winning streak is very hard to achieve. Normally there are some slip ups along the way. But every time we found a way and when we got on the bus at the high school Sunday morning I thought we would find a way.”
In the State Semifinal Game, North Royalton and Perry were tied after one quarter 16-16. The Bears took control at halftime 35-29 and led after three quarters 47-45. Perry took a 60-56 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Bears tied it at 60, but couldn’t bring it home.
“I think in the third quarter they sped us up. They killed us on the glass all game long. I think if we were a little more patient on offense we would have gotten better results,” said Coach Lapsevich.
Senior Dylan Lakatos was able to keep the Bears in the game throughout. He scored 24 points and had sank some clutch three pointers to keep North Royalton in the game.
“He’s a warrior. I’m going to miss him. Dylan is a special kid. He made play after play for us all season long. He’s definitely going to be missed. I was blown away at the season he had. Dylan matured so much during the season. He showed us that he is a great player. He’s clutch. He has always been clutch and always will be,” said Coach Lapsevich.
I asked Coach Lapevich what a trip to the Final Four will mean to Bears Basketball in the future.
“The kids play for each other and for the community. It’s a credit to all of our past players, to do it for them and to do it for the teams in the ’90s, the early ’10s and the teams I coached recently. It was nice to do it for them. Hopefully we can get over the hump next year or the year after.”
Before Coach Lapevich walked away from his post-game news conference he told the reporters, “I’m so proud of our guys. They are a great group of guys. AWESOME!”
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer
